Cardiovascular abnormalities in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus detected by screening

Chapter 1 describes the background and aims of this thesis. Type 2 diabetes mellitus
is the most common form of diabetes and is estimated to increase in a pandemic
manner over the next 10 to 20 years (1). Although the early symptoms are often not
severe, the long-term effects of hyperglycemia result in, or are associated with, microand
macrovascular disease like retinopathy, neuropathy, and atherosclerosis (2,3).
Ultimately, this can lead to blindness, renal failure, and cardiovascular events such as
myocardial infarction and stroke. Different risk scores have been developed to enable
physicians to calculate an individual's risk on future cardiovascular events and initiate
appropriate treatment (4-7).
Margriet Kruijshoop, November 26th 2004